The Shiba Inu looks small, thinks big

Spunk in a 20-pound package

Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, the Shiba Inu catches the fancy of those who
like small dogs with a big-dog attitude. His brisk trot and appealing expression
bespeak a bold attitude towards life; with a Shiba around, things won't be dull!

A native of Japan, the Shiba has the triangular head, curled tail, upright
ears, and dense double coat that mark the members of the spitz family of dogs.
Japan has six spitz breeds in three sizes. The big guys are the Akitas; the
middle group includes Kishu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kai, all extremely rare
in the US. The smallest of the six, the Shiba yields nothing in courage or tenacity
to his larger cousins.

Since ancient times, dogs fitting the Shiba's description have been used to
hunt birds and small game in the dense underbrush of Japan's mountainous regions.
Hardy, bright, and fearless, they have survived the hardships of centuries,
the horrors of World War II, and a post-war distemper epidemic to become Japan's
most popular companion dog and to gain a following in the US as well.

In Japanese, 'Inu" means 'dog,' but the origin of 'Shiba' is obscure.
Breed historians believe it may refer to the brushwood bushes that grew in the
countryside where the dogs hunted, in part because the breed is also known as
the 'little brushwood dog.'

The Shiba was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1992 and added to the
AKC non-sporting group in 1993. In 2001, the Shiba ranked 55th in AKC registrations
with 2434 individual dogs and 44th in litters with 1620. Both numbers were slight
declines from the previous year.

The standard

The Shiba Inu is a alert and agile, well-muscled dog ranging from 13.5-16.5
inches tall and with ideal weight ranging from 17-23 pounds. Males are at the
larger end of the range, females at the smaller end.

Male Shibas are distinctly masculine in appearance, and females are just as
distinctly feminine.

The Shiba has a flat forehead, a moderate stop (the place where skull and muzzle
join), and a muzzle with a straight bridge, rounded sides, full cheeks, and
a slight taper from stop to tip. Ears are small, triangular, and tipped slightly
forward to give a hyper-alert appearance; eyes are somewhat triangular, are
set deep and slant slightly upward. Lips are tight (no excess slobber here!)
and lips, eye rims, and nose are black. Teeth must meet in a scissors bite.

The Shiba is an athletic dog with moderate bone and angulation and well-developed
muscling. His thick double coat is stiff outside, soft underneath. Guard hairs
stand off from his body and are one-and-a-half to two inches long over the withers.
Tail hair is longer and stands open to give the tail a brush-like look. Long
or woolly coats are a serious fault. The coat is short on the head, and legs.

Shibas come in three basic color patters, all with cream markings and an undercoat
of cream, buff, or gray. Coat colors are red, black and tan, and sesame (black-tipped
hairs on rich red background, often called sable in other breeds). Cream markings
(called urajiro in Japanese) on all colors must be present on the sides of the
muzzle, on the cheeks, inside the ears, on the underjaw and upper throat, on
the abdomen, around the vent, and on the underside of the tail. On red dogs,
the cream markings are also commonly found on the throat, forechest, and chest.
On black and tan and sesame coats, additional cream spots are accepted above
the eyes and on the sides of the forechest.

Tan markings on black and tan dogs are similar to tan markings on Dobermans,
Rottweilers and other black and tan breeds.
Like most dogs in the spitz family, the Shiba has an independent and bold temperament.
He is often reserved with strangers but loyal and affectionate to family members.
He is a good watchdog and can be aggressive to other dogs. Although his look
is one of dignity and valor, he can get into mischief when left to his own devices.

Shiba health and care

A relatively healthy breed, the Shiba is nonetheless subject to genetic abnormalities
and diseases that affect other breeds and mixes. Hip dysplasia, patellar luxation
(slipping of the kneecap), and eye problems affect the breed, so potential Shiba
owners should make sure to buy from breeders who do the appropriate screening
in attempts to minimize these problems.
Like all double-coated breeds, Shibas shed. Grooming helps, but it's almost
impossible to eliminate the fluffs of soft undercoat that float around the house
during the biennial shed.

Shibas can spend a lot of time outdoors in moderate and cold climates, but
they need a leash if they are not confined in a fenced yard, and they need obedience
training to help overcome their attitude that 'what's mine is mine and what's
yours is negotiable.' Individual dogs may be able to romp in public (fenced)
dog parks, but some Shibas are dog aggressive and should not be allowed off
leash when other dogs are around.

Some Shibas don't take kindly to training, especially when expected to walk
on a leash or come when called. Some Shibas actually scream their displeasure
at the indignity of it all.

Equipment in a Shiba's home should also include an exercise pen and a dog crate,
for the breed will take liberties if not supervised. He'll want to sleep in
your bed, sit on your sofa, and sample your dinner if allowed to do so. Although
small, he definitely needs a firm hand; if you can't deal with mischief and
stubbornness, think about a different breed.

Shibas like children if they are raised with considerate children, but they
have no tolerance for children who tease or mishandle them.

Looking for a Shiba?

You must like a challenge! Shibas need lots of time and attention, but they
repay the effort 10 times over in loyalty, joy, and affection.The Japanese portray
the Shiba as brave and bold, good-natured, and artless with a refined and open
spirit. Some Shiba owners add 'superior attitude' and similar phrases to the
description. So, if you are of sound mind, body, and spirit and have been captivated
by the bright eyes and bushy tail of this appealing little dog, take the plunge.
Contact the National Shiba Club of America for a list of breeders and check
to make sure any appropriate health screening has been done before placing a
deposit on a puppy. Then, in the words of one Shiba owner, "Before bringing
home your Shiba, it is best to have a supply of food on hand. Several boxes
of granola, some oranges (for vitamin C) and a few sandwiches should give you
enough energy to keep up with the little guy."The National Shiba Club of
American can be found on the World Wide Web at www.shibas.org/. Shiba rescue
can be found at www.shibas.org/rescue.html

Norma Bennett Woolf

This page is a part of the Dog Owner's
Guide internet website and is copyright 2014 by Canis Major Publications. You may print or download this material for
non-commercial personal or school educational use. All other rights reserved.
If you, your organization or business would like to reprint our articles in
a newsletter or distribute them free of charge as an educational handout please
see our reprint policy.